"You may be annoyed by your mother-in-law asking about your treatment protocol, or by the perhaps unintentional, but hurtful things, people have said about using donor conception to have a child. You may feel encouraged by someone on social media who speaks openly about cutting off her relatives, or relieved that you have finally met "your people", who truly "get it," and now you have little patience for others who don't understand your situation."
"The state of the world is stressful, and fertility treatment can be stressful too. The unpredictability of the journey can, as one patient said to me, "take the stuffing out of you." At the same time, the world seems to be throwing us curveballs every week. Just when we hope for a respite from the stress, there's more. And we are more isolated than ever."
Fertility treatment often creates high stress and hypersensitivity, prompting people to gravitate toward those who understand. Hurtful comments from relatives or judgment about donor conception can intensify isolation. Online communities and others who share similar experiences can feel validating and lead to distancing from less understanding friends and family. Despite the current intensity, the treatment period is temporary and family life will change after successful parenthood. Given that friendships may outlast the fertility journey, evaluating ways to maintain some relationships during treatment can preserve long-term social support. Therapists, support groups, and empathetic contacts can serve as immediate life jackets during difficult periods.
Read at Psychology Today
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